Stroke

Studied Homeopathic Remedies

Arnica

Belladonna

Gelsemium

"Stroke" is the common term for cerebral vascular accident (CVA). The cause of stroke symptoms is the sudden death of part of the brain, either due to obstruction of blood flow or, less commonly, bleeding in the brain. Most strokes are the result of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), which in turn is caused by such factors as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and smoking. Depending on the location and extent of the damage, strokes can cause partial paralysis, and difficulty walking or talking.

A stroke is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical intervention. Emergency medical treatment includes measures to limit the extent of the stroke. After a stroke, gradual improvement frequently occurs with time, although the degree of improvement is often difficult to predict.

Scientific Evaluations of Homeopathic Remedies for Stroke

Homeopathic treatment has been proposed as a cost-effective possible method of aiding recovery from stroke.

The first study enrolled 40 people who had suffered a significant stroke within the prior 7 days.
1
Participants were given either
Arnica
30c or placebo in a dosage of one tablet every 2 hours, for six doses. They were then followed for 3 months to see if the
Arnica
group would recover more fully. The results showed no
significant difference
between the participants receiving
Arnica
and those who received placebo.

In the second trial, researchers administered
Arnica
1M (an extreme dilution of one part in 102,000) to 40 participants.
2
Again, no statistically significant improvements were seen in the treatment group as compared to the placebo group.

Traditional Homeopathic Treatments for Stroke

In
classical homeopathy
, there are many possible homeopathic treatments for stroke, to be chosen based on various specific details of the person seeking treatment.

Arnica
was chosen for the studies described above because of its traditional use for the treatment of acute traumatic conditions. It is typically given as an emergency treatment right after a stroke occurs, as well as for weeks or months into the recovery period.

Belladonna
is also sometimes used for stroke “first aid,” especially when the victim’s face is flushed, the eyes are fixed wide open, and there is headache, nosebleed, fever, and sensitivity to sound and light.

Loss of ability to speak after a stroke is a traditional indication for
Gelsemium
. Other aspects of this remedy’s
symptom picture
include a sensation of mental dullness, weakness, pain along the spine, dizziness, and headache in the forehead and at the base of the skull.

Other Natural Options

For herbs, supplements, and other alternative treatments that may be useful for this condition, see the
Stroke
article.

For a thorough explanation of homeopathy, including dilution of therapies, see the
Homeopathy Overview
.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.